BEREA, Ohio - Jabaal Sheard is making quite a sacrifice, switching from left defensive end to right outside linebacker.

It's sounds as though he will continue that transition with the Browns.

Coach Rob Chudzinski said he has plans for Sheard despite the franchise's decision to select edge rusher Barkevious Mingo with the No. 6 overall pick on Thursday night. Some have speculated the club might move Sheard if the Browns chose another edge rusher after signing Paul Kruger in free agency.

"Jabaal, I've been really impressed with him during the minicamp [last week] and his ability and how quickly he's demonstrated that he can make the adjustment to a 3-4," Chudzinski said. "Adding [Mingo] in the mix gives us another pass rusher and a solid rotation. That group we plan on rotating anyhow between Paul, Jabaal, [Mingo] and also with Quentin [Groves]. You can't have enough pass rushers, and keeping those guys fresh is a key."

Sheard, who recorded a club-best 15.5 sacks during the past two seasons, was asked last week about the possibilities of the team picking another edge rusher in the first round.

"I'm just going to keep working and do my job and see how it works out," he said.

Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton said he plans to use a multifront defense which could give Sheard a chance to sometimes play end in a 4-3 scheme.

Sheard has focused on the footwork required for his new position, especially dropping into pass coverage. He trained at a Miami-based facility run by Cleveland native and former NFL receiver Chris Chambers.

Haslam greets fans: Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, whose Pilot Flying J company is the target of a federal probe, addressed a group of season-ticket holders in the training facility's fieldhouse on Thursday night before joining the football brain trust in the war room.

Haslam didn't mention the FBI investigation and took no questions. He also didn't speak to the media.

"The pace, intensity, tempo, no comparison to last year," Haslam told the group. "The energy level at practice is quite different. Players are real excited, giving me thumbs up."

An NFL spokesman said last week that the league wouldn't ask Haslam to cede control of the team during the investigation. He met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday. Through a spokesperson, Haslam said it was a "good" meeting.

Cleveland Browns CEO Joe Banner (L) and head coach Rob Chudzinski talk with the press about their decision to pick Barkevious Mingo from Louisiana State University in the sixth pick of the first round in the NFL draft April 25, 2013 at Cleveland Browns headquarters in Berea. (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

Smith tumbles: West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, who the Browns conducted a private workout with two weeks ago, suffered the same draftday freefall as Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn before him. But Smith's was even worse, because tumbled right out of the first round. Several well-respected national experts, such as Sports Illustrated's Peter King, NFL Network's Mike Mayock and ESPN's Todd McShay all projected the Browns to take Smith, although King had them trading down to No. 11 with the Chargers to do it.

Smith's agent, Erik Burkhardt, said on Wednesday night that he had been in constant contact with multiple teams in the top nine. He said the list included all of the teams that had worked Smith out privately.

Manuel to Bills: Another quarterback the Browns worked out privately, Florida State's EJ Manuel, was taken by the Bills at No. 16. The Bills, who originally had No. 8, traded down with the Rams, who climbed up to draft speedy West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin. Most experts thought the Bills would take Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, who played for new Bills coach Doug Marrone in college. Manuel was the only quarterback taken in the first round, and Nassib is also still available heading into the second round.

On ESPN's Mike and Mike in the morning today, Marrone revealed that Manuel was the quarterback the Bills wanted all along.

Right from the beginning â it happened a while ago,â Marrone said when asked when the Bills put Manuel atop their quarterback wish list. âIt was very easy, it was very easy for all of us, we were all in it together and we were very excited about it.''

USC's Matt Barkley, whom some thought would be the first overall pick had he come out last year, slipped out of the first round.

Tackles dominate: In the first four picks of the draft, three were offensive tackles, including the No. 1 selection, Central Michigan's Eric Fisher.
When Oregon's Kyle Long was picked by Chicago at No. 20, he was the eighth offensive lineman taken in the draft-- the most in the top 20 in NFL history, according to ESPN.

Party guests: Former Browns defensive tackle Michael Dean Perry and wide receiver Webster Slaughter participated in a watch party in Berea. . . . The Browns said 2,007 people attended their draft party at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The last time: The Browns last drafted a linebacker with their first pick in 2006, grabbing Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State. They have drafted nine linebackers in the first round in their history. . . . The last time the Browns drafted a player out of LSU was defensive lineman Chase Pittman in the seventh round in 2007. They have drafted eight players from LSU in club history.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.